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They were used by U.S. cavalry units out west against
the Nez Perce, in the Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890,
during the Spanish-American War of 1898 at the Battle
of Las Guasimas, the Battle of El Caney and the Battle
San Juan Hill (aka Battle for the San Juan Heights)
in Cuba, and the Philippine-American War of 1899-
1902. These 1.65 inch caliber (42 mm) mountain guns
originally used a charge of 6 ounces of powder, and a
metallic percussion primed shell weighing two pounds.
Two basic types of ammunition were issued including
explosive shells with impact fuses, effective up to
approximately 3,500 yards, and canister, effective within
a few hundred yards against personnel or animals. This
example has been arsenal updated to centerfire. It has
ten-groove rifling, a steel post front sight mounted at
the right side center of the tube, an adjustable brass
notch rear sight, the top breech area of the tube has a
circular marking that reads “HOTCHKISS PATENT/PARIS
1880” around “No 50”, and matching number “50” is
marked on the right side of the breech block. It fires
using a lanyard pull string (not included). The gun is
mounted on a Hotchkiss steel carriage with wooden
wheels, brass fittings including the Archibald Wheel
Co. hubs, assembly numbers “1” and “2” marked on the
tops of the axles, and an oval brass data plate on top
of the carriage that reads “HOTCHKISS’ PATENT/PARIS
1884” around “No 76”. Absent elevation mechanism
on the carriage. The tube measures approximately 46
inches from muzzle to cascabel, with a 42 inch inside
bore length, with overall measurements including the
carriage approximately 75 inches long by 40 inches wide
by 38 inches tall.
CONDITION: Fine overall, retains most of the black
painted finish on the tube with a few patches of flaking,
a few spots of pitting/corrosion, golden aged and bright
patinas on the brass components, and defined markings.
Mechanically fine. A rare example of a Hotchkiss 1.65
inch “2-Pounder” mountain gun, worthy of a prominent
spot in any advanced military firearms collection!
Estimate: 30,000 - 50,000